Press groups honor Herald with awards

Newsroom and advertising work among top in Colorado

Photographer Steve Lewis was recognized by CAPER for capturing Alex Peña of Ignacio, left, talking to Teagan Overturf, also of Ignacio, after Teagans win over Kyler Bear of Paonia in the first consolation round for the 160-pound weight division in the Class 2A state wrestling tournament in February 2012.

CAPER awarded Photo Editor Jerry McBride for capturing Upper Pine Fire Protection District firefighters Eric Wagner, left, and Mark Caldwell trying to knock down flames when a fire started in a home in the Sierra Verde subdivision near Lemon Reservoir in October 2011.

Multimedia Journalist Shaun Stanley caught Kylie licking her chops for a home-cooked meal being prepared by Julie Winkelman and Toleda Cluff of Alpha Canine Academy. The photo illustration won Stanley an award from CAPER.

Both CPA and CAPER awarded the Herald staff for its online package of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, which had its first stage in Durango in August. Under the direction of Herald Web Editor Josh Stephenson, the online section featured dozens of articles, photo galleries, video, stage maps, schedules, road closures and social media updates.

Last summers wildfire season made for many dramatic images, including this one by Multimedia Journalist Shaun Stanley of a helicopter dropping a bucket of water above homes in the Elks Springs Ranch subdivision south of U.S. HIghway 160 during the Weber Fire. Along with Stanley, Photo Editor Jerry McBride and former Intern Isaiah Branch-Boyle were awarded by CAPER for their coverage of a continuing story.

Photo Editor Jerry McBride won for getting this snowy shot of Nebraska-Kearney quarterback Jake Spitzlberger being tackled by Fort Lewis College sophomore Lance Dettmer in a football game in November 2011.

DENVER  The Durango Herald won top honors among small daily newspapers in Colorado at two newspaper contests this weekend.

The paper won the general excellence award in the Colorado Associated Press Editors and Reporters contest and the Colorado Press Association contest, both announced during a weekend conference at the Westin hotel in Denver.

Four Corners newspapers cleaned up at the CPA contest. The Pagosa Springs Sun and Cortez Journal both won general excellence awards in their circulation categories. The Journal also won general excellence at the CAPER contest.

While the Herald has excellent writers, photographers and editors who do very good work every day, it takes the interest and support of readers and advertisers to make all of this possible, said Richard Ballantine, publisher of the Herald.

Both contests covered work done from September 2011 to August 2012, a period that included the Aurora movie theater shooting, a historic wildfire season and part of the 2012 presidential campaign.

The awards reflect many superlative efforts, by a great group of journalists who embrace hard work, collaboration and the highest ideals of community journalism, said Don Lindley, Herald managing editor. Winning The Associated Press award for overall excellence and, for the third straight year, the CPA sweepstakes award for overall editorial excellence, is really special.

CAPER contest

The Herald won general excellence as the top paper with a daily circulation less than 15,000. The group included papers like the Steamboat Pilot & Today, Vail Daily and Aurora Sentinel.

Public service: Second place, Emery Cowan, Jim Haug and Heather Scofield for Behind closed doors: Questions raised about transparency of some local government entities; Meeting places stir debate. The public service award is judged against all other Colorado newspapers, regardless of size.

Business story: First place, Chase Olivarius-McAllister for The afterlife: Options abound  People are increasingly moving away from traditional casket and funeral. The judge called it a witty take on a topic that generally doesnt get too much attention in the press.

Feature story: Honorable mention, Benjamin for Equally incarcerated: Number of women jailed in county has tripled in 10 years.

General news photo: First place, Stanley for Water training. Second place, McBride for A new flower.

Informational graphic: Second place, Cliff Vancura for Navigating the streets of Durango.

Investigative reporting: First place, Joe Hanel for Colorados most dangerous mountain pass. The judge called it a data-driven story thats still a good read. Combination of clever writing and deft number-crunching made this the winner. Honorable mention, Kelcie Pegher for When safe is unsafe, a look at a young womans death when taking a contraceptive drug.

Online general excellence: First place, Herald staff. The judge said the website serves its community well with a strong mix of content and multimedia. Navigation is easy. Good use of thumbnails. Offers opportunities for reader interaction.

Online breaking news: First place, Durango Herald staff.

Online special package: The Herald staff swept the category. First place for coverage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. The judge cited the websites use of photo galleries, videos and maps. An excellent example of how an event should be previewed and covered online, the judge wrote. Second place for the Politics page. Honorable mention for Snowdown coverage.

Photo coverage of a continuing story: First place, McBride, Stanley, and Isaiah Branch-Boyle for photos of the 2012 fire season.

Photo Portfolio: First place, McBride for a selection of his best photos of the year.

Portrait/personality: Second place, David Bergeland for Silver. Honorable mention, McBride for Michelle.

Series: First place, Dale Rodebaugh and Dahl for Missionary Ridge 10 years later. The judge wrote, solid writing, compelling photos and great infographics offer the reader a glimpse back in time, but also give some sense of what has happened in the intervening years. Second place, Scofield for Culture reclaimed. Honorable mention, Katie Burford for Back from war: The things they carry.

Sports column: Second place, Dale Strode for a selection of columns including Bicycle cowboy gets back in the saddle; Fort Lewis cyclist balances bikes with academics; and Durangos sporting area code expands.

Public Service: First place, Emery Cowan, for A historic promise: Native American tuition waiver at Fort Lewis College. Third place, Cowan, Jim Haug and Heather Scofield for Behind closed doors Questions raised about transparency of some local government entities.

Editorial Writing: Second place, Megan Graham for a selection of editorials including Lake Nighthorse recreation: Take action to open facility to public; County rejects its climate plan: Commissioners shirk call to set crucial direction; and Police and zombies: Halloween event brought out bad from all sides.

Serious Column Writing: First place, John Peel, for a selection of columns including 13-year-old rebounds from tragedy and HIV-positive Durango man speaks up.

Deadline News Reporting: First place, Shane Benjamin, for a story about a home explosion headlined There was no house: Family of 3 survives devastating explosion; Dog found alive after search. Third place, Ann Butler for Fire erupts near Mancos: Evacuations ordered; blaze grows to 500 acres.

Sports Event Story: First place, Ryan Owens for Goooooo-ooaaaaaaal! An unlikely hero makes a dream come true: FLC again is national champion.

Series: First place, Dale Rodebaugh and Jordyn Dahl for Missionary Ridge 10 Years later. Second place, Scofield for Culture reclaimed.

Sustained Coverage: Third place, Benjamin and Rodebaugh for coverage of a house explosion.

Agriculture Story: First place, Pamela Hasterok, for Shares of love: Small-scale farms supply healthy, organic produce. Second place, Cowan for Parched and praying for rain: Outlook dire for farmers without adequate water. Third place, Rodebaugh for Its organic, and then some: Heartwood farms vision of old-time agriculture energizes young workers.

Education Story: First place, Olivarius-McAllister for DHS aims to work some magic: School forges ahead with new principal. Third place, Cowan for We need our culture: Native American FLC students fight the odds to graduate.

Business News Story: Second place, Haug for Commercial creep? Proposed bed-and-breakfast on East Third Avenue divides neighbors on wisdom of adding businesses.

Environmental Story: Third place, Hanel for Recipe for disaster: Feds, state clash on permitting prescribed fire.

Health Enterprise Story: Second place, Scofield for On the edge without a net: High number of uninsured Hispanics strains economy, families. Third place, Luke Groskopf for Naturopaths  license or no? Though other states require it, all efforts in Colo. have failed.

Investigative Story Package: First place, Hanel for a rating of the worst mountain passes. Second place, Kelcie Pegher for When being safe is unsafe.

Daily Website Content: First place for the Heralds Politics page, www.durangoherald.com/Politics/.

Daily Website-Multimedia: Second place for the Herald staffs Snowdown coverage, www.durangoherald.com/snowdown.

Daily Website-Interactivity: Second place for the staffs Animas River package, www.durangoherald.com/rivers/animas.

Daily Website-Design: Second place for the Heralds home page, www.durangoherald.com.

Editorial Layout and Design: Second place to the Heralds editing and design staff for issues on Jan. 11, 2012 and May 15, 2012.

News Page Design: Second place, Cliff Vancura for Navigating the streets of Durango.

Feature Page Design: Third place, Vancura for Taste of Japan.

News Photograph: Third place, Jerry McBride for Search on for shooter.

Photo Essay: First place, McBride, for New life is sign of spring. Second place, Shaun Stanley for Boys of summer. Third place, McBride, for Iron Horse Bicycle Classic.

Press groups honor Herald with awards

Photographer Steve Lewis was recognized by CAPER for capturing Alex Peña of Ignacio, left, talking to Teagan Overturf, also of Ignacio, after Teagans win over Kyler Bear of Paonia in the first consolation round for the 160-pound weight division in the Class 2A state wrestling tournament in February 2012.

CAPER awarded Photo Editor Jerry McBride for capturing Upper Pine Fire Protection District firefighters Eric Wagner, left, and Mark Caldwell trying to knock down flames when a fire started in a home in the Sierra Verde subdivision near Lemon Reservoir in October 2011.

Multimedia Journalist Shaun Stanley caught Kylie licking her chops for a home-cooked meal being prepared by Julie Winkelman and Toleda Cluff of Alpha Canine Academy. The photo illustration won Stanley an award from CAPER.

Both CPA and CAPER awarded the Herald staff for its online package of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, which had its first stage in Durango in August. Under the direction of Herald Web Editor Josh Stephenson, the online section featured dozens of articles, photo galleries, video, stage maps, schedules, road closures and social media updates.

Last summers wildfire season made for many dramatic images, including this one by Multimedia Journalist Shaun Stanley of a helicopter dropping a bucket of water above homes in the Elks Springs Ranch subdivision south of U.S. HIghway 160 during the Weber Fire. Along with Stanley, Photo Editor Jerry McBride and former Intern Isaiah Branch-Boyle were awarded by CAPER for their coverage of a continuing story.

Photo Editor Jerry McBride won for getting this snowy shot of Nebraska-Kearney quarterback Jake Spitzlberger being tackled by Fort Lewis College sophomore Lance Dettmer in a football game in November 2011.